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The Manchester MBA (Master of Business Administration) Degree

Challenge yourself. Change direction. Transform your career.

Why study an MBA? If you are looking to change career, relocate or secure a more challenging role, an MBA could be for you. Whatever your aspirations, the Manchester MBA will take you as far as you want to go.

What is an MBA (Masters of Business Administration)? An MBA is a globally-recognised master's degree. It will provide you with skills and knowledge in all areas of business and management. This will enable you to take on senior leadership roles and thrive in today's competitive global landscape.

Why choose the Manchester MBA? We offer a range of full-time MBApart-time MBA and executive MBA courses. Our MBA curriculum focuses on 'learning-by-doing', global study opportunities and flexibility. You'll start by studying the global business environment and core business and management courses (accounting, finance, marketing, operations and strategy). You'll also take on practical business projects and choose specialist electives. Our MBA cohorts are made up of talented professionals from across the globe. This international network will enrich your learning and open up a world of opportunities. 

 

Our MBA is ranked 5th in UK (FT 2024)

Practical learning with live business challenges

Practical learning with live business challenges

Scholarships available

Scholarships available

International network and six global locations

International network and five global locations

Manchester MBA Degrees

Full-time MBA

Duration: 18 or 15 months full-time | Location: Manchester + international opportunities | For candidates with at least 3 years of professional experience

Global MBA

Duration: 24 or 18 months part-time | Location: Online + 6 workshops in Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore | For candidates with at least 3 years of professional experience

Global Executive MBA

Duration: 18 months part-time | Location: Online + 5 workshops in Manchester, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Singapore | For senior candidates with significant managerial experience

Find the right MBA for you

Are you unsure which MBA degree is right for you? Please explore the sections below to view and compare more information about our MBA programmes. You can also request a profile review with our experienced MBA recruitment team if you need further advice.

 

Full-time MBA

Global MBA

Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)

Global Executive MBA

 

Our most practical MBA: 900 hours of client consultancy across 3 projects + internship opportunities

A highly flexible part-time MBA

Our largest MBA cohort with intakes in 5 global locations

An accelerated route of our Global MBA for candidates with professional accountancy qualifications

An executive part-time MBA for a closed cohort of our most senior candidates

Fees (can be paid instalments) 

£48,000

Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional)

£31,000

Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional)

£28,500

Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional)

£41,500  

Fees include 1 post-MBA elective for CPD (optional)

Duration

18 or 15 months

24 months

18 months

18 months 
Intakes

September

January & July

January & July

January & July 
Scholarships & discounts 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes 
Award

MBA

MBA

MBA

MBA 
  View Full-time MBA  View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)  View Global Executive MBA 

Please note that for the Global MBA and Global MBA (Finance Accelerated), the fees above relate to the Manchester centre. Candidates in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa & Australasia should contact their regional University of Manchester centre for fee information: Dubai | Hong Kong | Shanghai | Singapore

Full-time MBA

Global MBA

Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)

Global Executive MBA

Full-time learning

Part-time blended learning

Online + 11-31 days of face-to-face teaching across 6 workshops residencies

Part-time blended learning

Online + 8-28 days of face-to-face teaching across 5 workshops residencies 

Part-time blended learning

Online + 26-35 days of face-to-face teaching across 5 workshops residencies

View Full-time MBA  View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)  View Global Executive MBA 
  Full-time MBA Global MBA Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)

Global Executive MBA

Minimum years of experience

 

 

3 years + strong career progression 3 years + strong career progression 3 years + strong career progression + professional accountancy or finance qualifications

Significant managerial or entrepreneurial experience

Average age per annual intake

29

36

37

41

Nationalities per annual intake

30

68

13

35

Average years of experience per annual intake

6

12

13

17
  View Full-time MBA  View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)  View Global Executive MBA 
  Full-time MBA

Global MBA

Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)

Global Executive MBA

How many international locations can I travel to?

 

 

Up to 5 (+ international consultancy fieldwork opportunities)

Up to 5

We provide 6 nights of accommodation across 2 global locations (elective courses only)

Up to 5

We provide 6 nights of accommodation across 2 global locations (elective courses only)

Up to 5

We provide 26 nights of accommodation across 2 global locations (core courses only)

Where is my induction?

Manchester

Home centre (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)

Home centre (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)

Manchester

Where do I study core courses?

Manchester (+ international consultancy fieldwork opportunities)

Home centre (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)

Home centre (Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai or Singapore)

Manchester + Dubai + Hong Kong

Where can I study elective courses?

Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai, Singapore + international exchange and overseas study tour opportunities

Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai, Singapore

Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai, Singapore

Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai, Singapore
  View Full-time MBA View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated) View Global Executive MBA 
  Full-time MBA Global MBA Global MBA (Finance Accelerated) Global Executive MBA

Core courses

 

  • MBA preparation course (online)
  • 3-week induction
  • 9 core courses, including 3 live client consultancy projects
  • MBA preparation course (online)
  • 1-day induction
  • 7 core courses, including live business project
  • MBA preparation course (online)
  • 1-day induction
  • 6 core courses, including live business project
  • MBA preparation course (online)
  • 1-day induction
  • 8 core courses, including live business project 
Elective courses

Options include:

  • Elective courses
  • Global study tours
  • Internship
  • International exchange
  • 3 elective courses
  • 3 elective courses
  • 2 elective courses
  View Full-time MBA  View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)  View Global Executive MBA 

MBA+ is a suite of non credit-bearing extracurricular activities that will contribute to your personal and professional development:

  Full-time MBA Global MBA Global MBA (Finance Accelerated) Global Executive MBA

MBA + Careers

 

  • Weekly career skills workshops
  • 121 meetings
  • Guest speakers
  • Company Recruitment presentations
  • Networking events
  • Student clubs
  • Business competitions
  • Company treks
  • Practice interviews
  • Networking events
  • Careers & employability sessions
  • Individual guidance
  • Guest speakers
  • Networking events
  • Careers & employability sessions 
  • Individual guidance
  • Guest speakers
  • Careers sessions
  • Company treks
  • Reflective sessions
MBA+ Social
  • MBA ball
  • Class socials
  • Cultural evenings
  • Sports competitions
  • MBA student council
  • Class socials
  • Class socials
  • Welcome dinner
  • Campus tour
  • Cultural activities
  • Class socials
 
MBA+ Alumni
  • Weekly Guest Speaker Series
  • Alumni introductions & network building
  • Alumni speaker events
  • Industry & regional groups
  • Alumni introductions & network building
  • Alumni speaker events
  • Industry & regional groups
  • Alumni introductions & network building
  • Alumni speaker events
  • Industry & regional groups
  • Senior alumni introductions & network building
  • Alumni speaker events
  • Industry & regional groups
 
  View Full-time MBA  View Global MBA  View Global MBA (Finance Accelerated)  View Global Executive MBA 

 

Facts and figures

Triple accreditation

One of few business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Pie Chart Circle

106% average salary increase 3 years after graduating (FT Global MBA Ranking 2023)

#AMBSlife

Frequently asked questions

An MBA is a globally-recognised qualification that was established in the USA in the 1900s. Today, this qualification can be studied all over the world either full-time or via part-time online or blended learning.

The MBA curriculum is designed to help you understand the global business environment and study key areas of business and management, including finance, operations, marketing, strategy and accounting. This gives you the well-rounded knowledge you need to take on senior positions or start your own company. An MBA also helps you develop crucial skills for succeeding in an uncertain world, such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, confidence and creativity.

Alongside core courses, a typical MBA curriculum includes business projects, international study opportunities, internships and electives courses that allow you to specialise in your areas of interest. This is complemented by focused career support, guest speaker and networking events, and social activities.

MBA degrees attract very talented, ambitious and international cohorts. This provides great opportunities for working collaboratively, building a network and developing cross-cultural understanding.

An MBA from a world-class institution such as Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester is recognised around the world.

Rankings and accreditations are one way to guarantee the quality of an MBA programme. Alliance MBS holds triple accreditation from all three major MBA accrediting bodies (only a small group of business schools globally have this). We are also ranked 5th in the UK and in the top 46th globally by the 2023 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking.

There are many reasons to study an MBA, which make it is an extremely popular qualification around the world. Some of the most popular reasons are:

  • Faster career progression in your current company or industry
  • Identify future opportunities
  • Gain new skills and knowledge
  • Improve existing skills and knowledge
  • Reach a more senior position more quickly
  • Get a higher salary
  • Gain the necessary qualification for some positions, particularly in the USA
  • Boost your CV with a globally-recognised qualification
  • Meet like-minded people
  • Switch careers, for example industry, job function or location – or all 3
  • Make new business connections from around the world
  • Start your own business
  • Build global business knowledge by exploring business cultures in different global regions
  • Challenge yourself

Yes, an MBA is a Master’s degree (Master of Business Administration).

An MBA is a specific type of Master’s degree that gives you skills and knowledge in many areas of business and management. 

Master’s degrees are often more specialised, so you can become an expert in one area such as accounting, occupational psychology or business analytics. However, there are also more general options, for example MSc Management. 

Masters and MBA qualifications are recognised around the world, but an MBA is particularly well-regarded and widely-recognised as a ‘stamp of approval’ for senior leadership and board positions. 

Age and experience

In the UK, an MBA is aimed at candidates with professional experience. Applicants for the Manchester MBA need at least 3 years of management experience and strong career progression. This means you are studying with an experienced and diverse class who you can learn from.

Masters students are typically 21-24 years old and come straight from an undergraduate degree, although some applicants have work experience. 

Study format

Masters degrees are often studied full-time on-campus, although there is a growing range of online and blended learning options. An MBA can be studied full-time or part-time while you continue to work anywhere in the world.

Fees

Our Masters courses start at £12,500 for home students, but can cost up to £31,000 for courses such as accounting. Our MBA degrees range from £28,500 to $65,000, but the return on investment is potentially huge. For example, our MBA graduates typically enjoy an average 101% salary increase within three years of graduation (Financial Times 2021).

A range of scholarships and funding options are available for MBA and Master's degrees. For example, Alliance MBS offers MBA scholarships, 20% alumni discount and loans through our partner, Lendwise.

Career support

Many companies have structured MBA hiring programmes and MBA internship programmes. For both MBA and Masters, business schools have strong links with corporate recruiters and offer excellent career support for students, such as internships, work placements, career workshops, career consultations and recruitment events.

Assessment

Alliance MBS Master's degrees are typically assessed through a mix of exams, presentation, group projects, course work and a dissertation. Our MBA degrees are assessed through live business projects and ongoing assessments, with no exams or dissertation.

An MBA is an excellent investment that will benefit your career in many ways. Graduates secure senior positions all over the world in different industries. An MBA can also help you change career completely, relocate to a new country or start your own business.

Having an MBA degree can boost your future earning potential significantly. Our MBA graduates typically enjoy a 101% salary increase three years after graduating, with an average salary of $133,956 (Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2021).

You do not need to have a business-related degree. Our MBA students hold degrees in many different subjects and have experience across a range of industries, from medicine to media.

We're well connected

As a Manchester MBA, you can study elective courses at any of our global centres. This is a chance to study alongside talented executives from around the world and immerse yourself in new business cultures. You will gain new perspectives, build your network and experience learning that goes beyond the course materials.
Take the next steps

Take the next steps...

Find out more about our Master of Business Administration degrees